Meet our Mentors | Olivia’s journey to Notre Dame

We interviewed one of our many incredible Mentors, Olivia, who graduated from Notre Dame in 2019! Read on to see how Olivia approached college applications, how Notre Dame has unique programs tailored to the most exciting career opportunities, and why Olivia didn’t want to go to Princeton!

Olivia, thanks for sitting down with us. Let’s start with the basics. Can you share where you went to college, when you graduated, and what you studied?

I graduated from Notre Dame in 2019 and majored in business, specifically in management consulting. I was in the undergrad business program.

You have to apply specifically to the business program at Mendoza as a high schooler. There are limited spots you can apply for once you’re on campus as a freshman. They’ve expanded the minors the business school offers, so you still can minor in business without applying.

Wonderful. Want to flash back to junior and senior year of high school and your application process. Did you apply anywhere early, whether that’s Early Action (EA), Restrictive Early Action (REA), Early Decision (ED), or something else?

I applied Restrictive Early Action to Notre Dame. As a result, I didn’t apply anywhere Early Decision. I did still apply to a few other places early as well, as fit within the rules of REA.

And then over the course of the whole application process, early and regular, where else did you wind up applying?

In addition to Notre Dame, I applied to the University of Michigan, Boston College, Villanova, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina. If I hadn’t gotten into Notre Dame early, I would’ve also shot my shot at a few other schools including some Ivies.

I was aware of the “apply to a few likely schools, a few target schools, a few reach schools” concept so followed that.

Did you apply to any specific university scholarship programs?

I did not apply to any of the marquee university scholarship programs. I was so locked into Notre Dame that, once I got the scores and grades I needed, I was Notre Dame or bust. I don’t recommend that approach nor do I think it should be promoted. That was an emotional rollercoaster.

Technically, after I got into Notre Dame, I was a front-runner for the Malpass Scholarship. I didn’t end up getting it. It was geared toward people in finance. I didn’t have to apply for the Malpass Scholarship, but they did require an interview after they selected general applicants as finalists. It was for people who applied to the business school and met certain criteria.

Why did you choose Notre Dame?

For me, it was the balance between competitive academics and the rah-rah sports concept. I really did want a big sports school.

What was the best thing about Notre Dame?

The best part about Notre Dame was the balance between incredibly strong, fundamental academic programs and the opportunity to forge an educational path that matches the most exciting career opportunities. For example, just since I’ve graduated, they’ve added minors like real estate, innovation and entrepreneurship, and impact consulting that give you an opportunity to explore concepts that are quite new or highly relevant in today’s job market.

I’ll also add that you get to go to some of the most competitive, nationally televised sporting events like the women’s basketball national championship and college football playoffs. It’s quite unique to pair such strong academics with a powerhouse, fun athletic program.

And how about your least favorite thing about Notre Dame?

The winters. It’s cloudy…a lot of days.

I’d also add it’s in South Bend, Indiana, which may not be for everyone. It’s a college town, which is a great way to experience college, but that means it isn’t necessarily the most dynamic location in the world. It can also be a little bit of a challenge getting to. I’m from the New York City area, so it was not easy to get to and from. I had to fly into Chicago then it’s about a 2-hour trip from there.

What have you heard since graduating that you’ve realized is a unique/interesting thing about Notre Dame?

At Notre Dame, there were all girls and all boys dorms. You’re required to live in them for 3 years. The great thing is that it helps build community in an organic way. I didn’t need to worry about rushing a sorority, for example, because I already had a group of girls who were my "family," so to speak. I’ve heard this is a really stressful part of the college experience for most people, but it’s really different at Notre Dame.

I’d also add there are priests who live in the dorms! Notre Dame is definitely a school in touch with a Catholic spiritual experience. Even if you aren’t Catholic or religious, it gets you to consider some of life’s most complicated questions and understand a major part of other peoples’ lives.

Moving on to more general college reflections, what do you think you’ve learned about college since you graduated?

I now realize that college is a lot more than four years. I definitely feel camaraderie immediately with other Notre Dame people I meet even now. Another example is at work, there’s a big group of Uniersity of Michigan grads. In a lot of ways I can see they relate to each other in a special way. I have that feeling often with other Notre Dame grads, whether it’s at work or in my social life. I do think people mostly love their alma maters, so they look out for people who can connect with them on that level.

Any regrets about your college application process, decision-making process, or how you approached college? What’s that one thing you always tell high schoolers about college?

Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if I’d shot my shot at, for example, an Ivy League school. I’m not sure I necessarily regret not having applied, since Notre Dame is as good (or better) school than any of the Ivy League schools. But I do think about how my decision proccess might’ve been different and if my decision would’ve changed. I am 100% sure it would’ve made my decision more stressful. 

I remember watching a Hillary Duff show where her character gets into Princeton and then everyone thinks she’s so great. So I was focused on getting good grades so I could get into Princeton. But then I visited and didn’t like it! So I never applied. It’s weird to think about wanting to go to one place forever then not actually applying. So I do think about that. Not sure what the lesson for students is there! I guess just think about how someone can not want to go to Princeton!

Finally, what made you decide to be a Cohort Mentor?

One of the most stressful things in high school was the college application process. I’m the oldest of my siblings, so I became the guinea pig for testing out how the Common App worked, what activities looked good, how to frame things, etc. 

I do wish I hadn’t had to be the guinea pig. Not because I necessarily made mistakes. It just would've made it less stresful to have someone who can say, “Oh, you don’t need to be so worried about this part of the process!” Someone who can help you pull together the pieces, let them fall into place, and know you put a good foot forward.

Thank you, Olivia! We’ll definitely be thinking about how someone can not want to go to Princeton. Thanks for your time